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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninainthu Ninainthu

From Satharam · 1956

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Satharam1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudheThinking of you continuously, my heart melts with grief.
Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudheThinking of you continuously, my heart melts with grief.
Unnai ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudheThinking of you over and over, my heart melts with grief.
Neengidaadha thunbam perugudheUnending sorrow continues to grow.
Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudheThinking of you continuously, my heart melts with grief.
Neengidaadha thunbam perugudheUnending sorrow continues to grow.
Male
Anaindha deepmaai aagi ponadheIt has become like an extinguished lamp.
Anaindha deepmaai aagi ponadheIt has become like an extinguished lamp.
Udainthu pona silai aanadheIt has become like a broken statue.
Vaazhkkai anaindha deepmaai aagi ponadheLife has become like an extinguished lamp.
Udainthu pona silai aanadheIt has become like a broken statue.
Male
Naan adaindha Selvam kollai ponadheThe treasure I attained has been looted away.
Adaindha Selvam kollai ponadheThe treasure I attained has been looted away.
Amaidhiyindriye alaiya nerndhadheI am destined to wander aimlessly without peace.
Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudheThinking of you continuously, my heart melts with grief.
Neengidaadha thunbam perugudheUnending sorrow continues to grow.
Male
Engirundhu nee vaadugindraayoo?From where are you wilting in pain?
Engirundhu nee vaadugindraayoo?From where are you wilting in pain?
Thunba geethame paadugindraayoo?Are you singing a sad song of sorrow?
Engirundhu nee vaadugindraayoo?From where are you wilting in pain?
Thunba geethame paadugindraayoo?Are you singing a sad song of sorrow?
Male
Indha nilai endru maarumoo?When will this condition ever change?
Indha nilai endru maarumoo?When will this condition ever change?
Una kaanum inba naalumae vandhu saerumoo?Will that joyful day of seeing you ever arrive?
Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudheThinking of you continuously, my heart melts with grief.
Neengidaadha thunbam perugudheUnending sorrow continues to grow.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant expression of grief, longing, and anguish caused by separation from a beloved. The protagonist laments how constantly thinking of their lost love causes their heart to ache deeply and sorrow to relentlessly compound. Life feels devoid of light and purpose, metaphorically described as an extinguished lamp and a shattered statue, as though all life's precious treasures have been looted away, leaving only restless wandering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudhe

The repetition of 'ninaindhu' (thinking/remembering) emphasizes the obsessive, unending nature of the protagonist's painful memories.

Metaphor (Uruvagamaana uvamai)

Anaindha deepmaai aagi ponadhe / Udainthu pona silai aanadhe

Life is compared to an 'extinguished lamp' (anaindha deepam) and a 'broken statue' (udainthu pona silai), symbolizing loss of hope, beauty, and vitality.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudhe / Neengidaadha thunbam perugudhe

The lines end with rhyming verbal endings ('urugudhe' and 'perugudhe'), creating a mournful rhythmic cadence.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ninaindhu ninaindhu nenjam urugudhe / Neengidaadha thunbam perugudhe

The repetition of the initial 'N' sound ('Ninaindhu', 'nenjam', 'Neengidaadha') creates acoustic harmony typical of classical Tamil songwriting.

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Trivia

Featured in the 1956 Tamil drama film 'Satharam' (or 'Sadharam'), this deeply emotional track was composed by veteran maestro G. Ramanathan with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. Delivered by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS), the song stands as an exquisite example of his expressive range in classical-based sad melodies during the golden era of Tamil cinema.

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